In Nevada, you may deny a tenant access after charges are unpaid 10 days and send a lien notice after 14 days, giving at least 14 days to pay. A notice of sale must then go out at least 14 days before the sale, so a conservative earliest sale is about day 42 (our derived figure).
This page is general information, not legal advice. Review your notices and sale plan with your attorney before you act.
Nevada lien timeline at a glance
Nevada's self storage lien rules are NRS 108.473 to 108.4783, amended most recently in 2025 (NRS 108.477). Nevada calls the renter the "occupant." One rule catches owners out: your rental agreement must include a space for the occupant to name an alternative person and address for notices. Without it, these sections do not apply and your lien does not attach (NRS 108.4755).
| Step | Earliest timing | What the law requires | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lien attaches | Day 0 | The lien arises when rent is due and unpaid, on all personal property in the space, for rent, late fees, labor and sale costs. | NRS 108.4753(1) |
| 2. Deny access | Day 10 | If charges stay unpaid 10 days or more, you may deny access. | NRS 108.476(1) |
| 3. Lien notice | Day 14 | If unpaid 14 days or more, send a notice ending the right to use the space not less than 14 days later. | NRS 108.476(2) |
| 4. Notice of sale | At least 14 days before the sale | After the lien notice date passes unpaid, send it to the last known and alternative addresses, with a declaration in opposition form. | NRS 108.4763(1), (2); 108.4765 |
| 5. Advertisement | In the week before the sale | At least once in a district newspaper. | NRS 108.477(2) to (4) |
| 6. Sale | Day 42 (conservative) | Commercially reasonable sale. Blocked if the occupant returns a declaration in opposition. | NRS 108.477(1), 108.478 |
Worked example: rent was due June 1 and never paid. Day 10 is June 11, when you may lock the unit. Day 14 is June 15, when you send the lien notice. The right to use the space ends June 29 (day 28). You send the notice of sale then, and the earliest sale is July 13 (day 42). All of these are derived. The statute does not expressly bar sending the notice of sale earlier, so a shorter timeline may be defensible, which is one more reason to ask your attorney.
What the Nevada lien notice must say and how to send it
The lien notice goes by verified mail or, where available, email, to the last known address and the alternative address in the rental agreement. It must itemize the amount owed and the due date, give your name, address and phone, state that the right to use the space ends on a specific date unless the amount is paid, and state that your lien will be imposed after that date (NRS 108.476(2)).
For the notice of sale, use verified mail or email, again to both addresses, at least 14 days before the sale. If you send it by email and get no confirmation of receipt, you must also send it by verified mail (NRS 108.4763(2)). Under the law, "electronic mail" means a message for which you receive confirmation of receipt (NRS 108.4731, 108.4734, 108.4748).
If the occupant returns a declaration in opposition, you may not sell for at least 30 days, and the occupant has 21 days to sue (NRS 108.4765, 108.478).
Alternate contacts and lienholders
Your rental agreement must include a space for an alternative person and address. If the occupant leaves it blank, your remedies are not affected. Notices go to both the last known address and the alternative address. The agreement must also require a secondary contact, which is used for protected property (NRS 108.4755). People with perfected security interests may pay the amount due and claim the property before the sale. A lien created by a document of title on a vehicle or boat has priority over your storage lien (NRS 108.4753(2)).
Advertising the sale
Advertise at least once in the week immediately before the sale, in a newspaper of general circulation in the judicial district where the sale is held. The ad must give the occupant's name, the unit number, and the facility name and address. If there is no such newspaper, post notices 10 days before the sale in at least six conspicuous places near the sale, or on a publicly accessible website (NRS 108.477(2) to (4)).
Late fee limits
You may charge a reasonable late fee per month of late payment if the amount is in the rental agreement or an addendum. The greater of $20 or 20% of monthly rent, per month, is deemed reasonable and not a penalty. A late fee is not interest and not an enforcement cost. The statute states no grace period (NRS 108.4758).
Sale rules, surplus and records
- Format. The sale must be commercially reasonable and follow the ad. The statute does not authorize online auctions. Website posting is allowed only for the ad when no newspaper exists.
- Protected property. Never sell protected property: documents with personal data, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and firearms. Return or dispose of it as NRS 108.4763(5) says.
- Buyer protection. A good-faith purchaser takes free and clear of any party's interest, except in protected property.
- Surplus. You keep excess proceeds after the lien and sale costs, and the occupant or an authorized person may claim them within 1 year of the sale. After 1 year, pay the remainder to the treasurer of the county where the sale was held, for the county general fund (NRS 108.4773, 108.4783).
- Records. No retention period is stated. Keep every notice, confirmation of receipt and ad proof.
Vehicles and boats
Personal property includes motor vehicles, boats, personal watercraft and their trailers (NRS 108.4743). If rent and charges on such property stay unpaid 60 days, you may have it towed by a tow operator subject to the Nevada Transportation Authority. You are not liable for damage once the operator takes possession (NRS 108.4763(1)(c)).
Active-duty military (SCRA)
Federal law adds protections for servicemembers, and owners must check military status before a sale. See 50 U.S.C. 3958. We found no Nevada-specific military rule in NRS 108.473 to 108.4783.
Common mistakes checklist
- No alternate contact space in the rental agreement, which can void the lien.
- Denying access before day 10 or sending the lien notice before day 14.
- Giving fewer than 14 days before the right to use ends.
- Emailing the notice of sale and not following up by verified mail when there is no confirmation.
- Selling fewer than 14 days after the notice of sale.
- Running the ad outside the week before the sale.
- Selling firearms, alcohol, pharmaceuticals or personal papers.
- Selling after a declaration in opposition came back.
- Skipping the servicemember status check.
Tools to help
Use the lien timeline calculator to count your dates, read about lien and auction management, and see all state lien laws. The self storage auction process guide covers the sale, and the lien notice template gives you a starting draft.
What we could not confirm
Day 42 is derived from the 14 day termination period plus the 14 day sale notice, assuming the notices run one after the other. The statute does not say whether the notice of sale may go out before the termination date. It is silent on online auctions. NRS 108.4773 refers to a "preliminary notice of the lien" that the chapter does not define. Facilities that issue warehouse receipts or other documents of title are outside this act (NRS 108.475(3)).
Last reviewed: October 19, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Review every notice and sale with your attorney.